The news that Sal Buscema has passed away had me reflecting on how much I loved his art. It also made me reflect on how he is art turned me into the comic book loving person I am.
I love Spider-Man. I think he is the greatest literary character of all time. Not just in comics, but he is, in my opinion, the best character EVER. I have bored my wife, my friends and anyone that will listen to why I think Spider-Man is the greatest. My favorite Spider-Man artist, Sal Buscema. Why? Sal’s ability to tell a story with his art is second to none.
I often think back to the first Spider-Man comic I ever bought. Yes, I still remember the exact issue and exactly where I bought it. One of my first memories I had at school was when my friend gave me a Marvel trading card. The card, Spider-Man vs The Green Goblin. It seems hyperbolic but that single card changed my life, well, my collecting life.
When I learned that The Green Goblin was responsible for the death of Spider-Man’s girlfriend, Gwen Stacy, and on the back of the card it explained that The Green Goblin had also learned Spider-Man was Peter Parker I was hooked. Of course I had no idea what comics those stories happened in, but I was fascinated with The Green Goblin and Spider-Man.
I asked my dad if he could take me somewhere to get a comic book with Spider-Man and The Green Goblin. My dad took me to Mile High Comics in Lakewood. I asked the clerk there if they had any Spider-Man vs. Green Goblin comics. I was told they had only one, The Spectacular Spider-Man #182. It was part 5 of a comic story called The Child Within. The artist, Sal Buscema. The art caught my eye immediately. His Spider-Man was incredible. His Green Goblin, terrifying. The way he drew the fight between Spider-Man, The Green Goblin and Vermin, made it seem like you could feel every punch. The emotion Sal drew on Peter Parker and Harry Osborn’s face transcended the comic medium. From that day on, Sal was my favorite Spider-Man artist.
I would tell everyone that Sal was my favorite. And I would show them examples of why Sal was the best. I made it such a declaration that Sal was my favorite Spider-Man artist that it led to my most cherished piece of original art.
I was shopping at Target one day and my comic book guy Andrew, (yes, I went to Coins, Cards and Comics for over 20 years and developed a friendship with the comic book guy there, and would pepper him with stories on why Sal was the best) called me and said, “Hey, you should come to the store I have something you want.” I asked what it was and he said, “just come to the store, I promise you will freak out.” Intrigued, I left Target and went to the comic store. Once there, Andrew took me to comic book counter and revealed page 19 from The Spectacular Spider-Man #156. I was in shock. Andrew saw it, thought of me due to my quest for a complete The Spectacular Spider-Man run and my love of Sal’s art. I bought it and cried nerd tears. Seeing Sal’s work with no colors, just his lines was legendary.
As I continued my comic collecting, I would seek out Sal’s work. I loved his Defenders run. Did I mention that his cover on Our Love Story is just as amazing? Sal can tell a story with just one picture. No one can tell a story like Sal with pictures. How about his iconic cover to Captain America #137.
When I was a kid, I couldn’t afford The Amazing Spider-Man #39 and 40. So, I bought Marvel Tales #29, with Sal’s incredible pencils on the cover.
Sal made me a comic book fan. His art was second to none. That he has passed has broken my heart. But although he left us, his art and his contribution to pop culture will never be forgotten.
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